SLCAA Warns Air Passengers Over Mandatory Health Declaration Forms

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has reminded all passengers arriving at or departing from Freetown International Airport that completing the applicable Health Declaration Form is mandatory, warning that failure to comply will result in denial of boarding.

In a public notice dated October 21, 2026, and signed by Director General Musayeroh Barrie, the authority urged travellers to complete the required forms before proceeding to the airport.

The SLCAA said passengers must ensure they have completed the forms and can present them for verification when required. It added that early completion would help prevent avoidable travel disruptions and support smoother passenger processing.

The authority also called on airlines, travel agencies and other relevant stakeholders to inform passengers about the requirement and encourage compliance. 

How to Complete the Form

An illustration of passengers queueing

Passengers can access the official Sierra Leone Health Travel Portal at poep.npha.gov.sl, operated by the National Public Health Agency (NPHA).

According to the portal, travellers must complete the form no more than 72 hours before their intended travel date. They must register or log into their accounts, select the appropriate arrival or departure form, provide the required information and submit it for verification.

Travellers should also retain their submission confirmation or QR code for presentation to officials when requested. 

The requirement applies to both incoming and outgoing passengers, including Sierra Leonean citizens and foreign nationals.

Existing Requirement Reinforced

A passenger going through screening at the Freetown International airport

The latest notice reinforces a requirement introduced earlier in 2026. The NPHA launched the Health Travel Portal on June 5 to strengthen border health security, improve disease surveillance and streamline the collection and verification of travellers’ health information.

The government subsequently made the digital health declaration mandatory for incoming and outgoing travellers. The system supports public health monitoring and helps authorities identify potential health risks at the country’s points of entry. 

The SLCAA’s latest warning places responsibility on passengers to complete the process before arriving at the airport. Travellers should therefore check the requirements ahead of their journeys and ensure they can provide confirmation of submission.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safe, orderly and efficient air transport operations in Sierra Leone.

Passengers can visit the official Health Travel Portal to complete their declarations before travelling.